Classified Orbits

The positions of objects in Earth’s orbit can be calculated based on TLE data. Besides accredited online sources such as the US Air Force, other collections exist as well, publicly available but not officially authorized. One database gathers only classified data, based on observations of (amateur) astronomers. It contains identified secret satellites, but also the ugly by-products of satellite technology: related space debris and even some completely unknown objects.

The orbits of those approximately 50 utterly undefined elements are recorded for several weeks. For each one a unique pattern evolves: fluid, ephemeral traces, transmitted with a laser onto black-anodized aluminium tiles. The leftovers of space exploration, invisible to the naked eye, are transformed into beautiful aesthetics, into fine, silvery lines forever capturing their unofficial existence.